Medication Administration Record

A Medication Administration Record or MAR (eMAR for electronic versions) is the report that serves as a legal record of the drugs administered to a patient at a facility by a health care professional. The MAR is a part of a patient's permanent record in their medical chart. The health care professional signs off on the record at the time that the drug or device is administered. MARs are commonly referred to as drug charts. Electronic versions may be referred to as e-MARs.

Format

The actual chart varies from hospital to hospital and country to country. However they are typically of the format:

• Administrative/Demographics
  • Patient Name (often Surname, First name or similar)
  • Patient Medical Record Number
  • Ward +/- bed number
  • Treating team details
  • Allergies
  • Other, variable - weight, special diet, oxygen therapy, application time of topical local anaesthetic e.g. EMLA

• Prescription Details
  • Drug name
  • Dosage strength
  • Route
  • Frequency
  • Medication indication / Diagnosis
  • Prescribing doctor details, signature
  • Day by day chart where carers/nurses administering medications can sign when medication has been given

Kardex

A kardex (plural kardexes) is a genericised trademark for a medication administration record. The term is common in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

See also

• Personal health record